The Slovak Republic to Focus on Land Forces Programs in Mid-Term
Defence Turkey: First of all thank you very much for this interview. Could you please brief us on the transformation steps in the Slovak Armed Forces that have taken place in the last 10 years? What kinds of achievements and developments have been accomplished by your Army?
Our Armed Forces have been a guarantor of peace and security of the Slovak Republic since the early days of independence through the defence of its freedom, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders.
We have been member of NATO and EU for 10 years. NATO and our values and interests make us inevitably and strongly bound to the security of a wider Euro-Atlantic area. The presence of Slovak troops in crisis areas around the world significantly determined the transformation efforts of our Armed Forces. We are very proud of our soldiers who managed to meet with honour all the demanding operational tasks at home and abroad. They deserve our respect and recognition. The ultimate sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the line of duty will not be forgotten.
We were able to reduce redundant infrastructure, personnel number, abolish conscription and establish fully professional armed forces. The positive feedback we receive from our Allies in operations stands as a clear proof that it was a prudent decision. Yet we did not manage to meet all long-term transformational goals. Perhaps the most pressing problems are associated with the slow modernization of armament, and that must be and will be changed down the road by implementing our long-term goals. Fulfilment of mentioned goals was also realized in the context of Slovak effort to become a member of NATO and also during Slovak membership in it.
Defence Turkey: Could you please inform us about the structure of the Slovak Armed Forces?
The Slovak Republic became a member of Alliance in 2004. As of 2006 the compulsory military service was abolished and the Slovak Armed Forces have been transformed into a fully professional organization. The current peacetime establishment accounts for approximately 14,800 military and 3900 civilian posts.
The current structure of the Armed Forces consists of Land Forces Command, Air Forces Command, Training and Support Command and some miscellaneous elements (including one Special Forces regiment) under the direct command of the General Staff.
Land Forces are made up of two mechanized infantry brigade, one combat service support brigade, CBRN battalion, engineer battalion, MLRS detachment and various other elements.
Air Forces structure consists of one combined wing (MiG-29 and L-39), transport wing, medium transport hello wing, SAM brigade and a command/control/reconnaissance brigade.
Training and Support Forces HQ is currently in the process of becoming dissolved, with most of its subordinated structure being subsumed into CSS brigade.
Defence Turkey: What are the Slovak Armed Forces international activities and programmes?
Slovak Armed Forces as the regular member of NATO has standard international cooperation with other 27 NATO member countries. On 29th of March 2014 we celebrated 10th anniversary of full NATO membership so our military international activities are mainly shaped by preserving and developing existing international activities. Of course, there is also the international cooperation with other organisations such as The United Nations, international programmes for example Partnership for Peace or other world countries within either wider European or the broader transatlantic geopolitical area.
In regard to our historical and geopolitical bases there is an excellent V4 cooperation having great potential to be developed further especially in the field of military and security cooperation. Current security trends in Europe and constant changing of the security environment require closer regional defence cooperation and multinational programmes deeply rooted in NATO and EU policies. The V4 continues to serve as a platform for coordination of V4 countries in all European and transatlantic security policy areas.
As a reaction to new security challenges in central and eastern Europe we will conduct international military exercise GROUND PEPPER 2014 (GRPE 14) this autumn (16 – 23 October 2014). EX GRPE 14 is designed as Mechanized Infantry Battalion size Battle Group (Multi-national Task Force) within the structure of Mechanized Brigade in order to demonstrate the ability of NATO countries to conduct Article 5 operations according to NATO Treaty. There are several international participants such as V4 countries, USA and JFC Brunssum. With regard to the exercises, NATO is organizing Air Force exercise – TRIAL MACE XVI at the Slovak territory. The exercise is being conducted during these days (8 September – 3 October 2014) and is primarily designed for the Air Force and Air Defence units with the aim to enhance and increase Air Force capabilities and interoperability. There are 2 Turkish officers participating as observers at these exercises.
Slovak Armed Forces are a valid partner within the spectrum of international programmes and activities such as NATO Smart Defence or European Union Pooling and Sharing Programme. This helps to Slovak Armed Forces to maintain and enhance its military capabilities in order to undertake the Alliance’s essential core tasks as agreed in NATO’s Strategic Concept. In support of the international training and education Slovak Armed Forces provides courses in the International Staff Officers’ Course in Liptovsky Mikulas, Military Training Area in Lest, CBRN Training Centre in Zemianske Kostolany that provides unique training with live chemical agents and lastly in the EOD Centre of Excellence in Trencin.
Finally, when it comes to international security, the Slovak Republic at the NATO Summit in Wales 2014 has clearly declared its willingness to continue in supporting of Afghan transition process and continue in new training mission in Afghanistan beyond 2014. In support of above mentioned facts there are about 17,000 Slovak soldiers that have served or serve in missions of international crisis management. Slovak Armed Forces members participated also in the NATO Active Fence mission as part of DCM-C in Turkey.
Defence Turkey: Following your membership to NATO, what has been changed in every aspect of the Slovak Defence Policy? What are the influences to your national and Armed Forces after becoming a NATO member?
The accession process to NATO itself required reform steps which had a positive impact on the development of the whole of our society and our defence policy especially. NATO membership brought about a fundamental shift in providing for the defence of Slovakia. We obtained guarantees of collective defence and simultaneously accepted shared responsibility for the defence of our Allies. This forms a cornerstone of our defence policy which we coordinate with Allies in fulfilling the NATO Strategic Concept (2010). Today we consult with Allies on security threats and their implications for the security of NATO members, we participate on the NATO Defence Planning Process and the conclusions of these we reflect in our development plans. We take part in quite a few multinational military co-operation projects. All this creates preconditions for achieving such defence capabilities as smaller states would not be able to afford individually.
Viewing the impact of NATO membership on Slovakia as a whole it is especially important to mention the fact that guarantees of collective defence fundamentally increased the security of our country. At once NATO membership and EU membership created a secure and stable environment for foreign investment coming to Slovakia and subsequent dynamic economic growth. The accession process itself as well as the first years of membership accelerated the transformation of our Armed Forces towards an all-professional force. Our Armed Forces which have been continually deployed in out of area operations are from the viewpoint of personnel and experience comparable with Ally armies.
On the other hand, NATO membership has lead to certain complacency in our society, a feeling of security and a decline in preoccupation with defence issues. This was a factor in the decline in defence spending. This in turn manifested itself in a slowdown of the Armed Forces transformation process, because of which we are now lagging behind our commitments, especially in the areas of armament and equipment quality. The evolution of the security environment and a gradual economic revival (after the economic crisis) will however, in the context of current joint decisions within NATO, lead to a gradual intensification of our defence efforts.
Defence Turkey: Slovak Republic, Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic are acting together under the umbrella of the Visegrad Group in NATO? Could you please inform us about the reason behind establishing this group? What are the activities, plans and strategies of the Visegrád Group?
Despite the fact that the Visegrád Group (V4) is not a new initiative (V4 was established in 1991), cooperation in the defence area has become more dynamic only in the past few years.
In times of financial austerity there is a strong need in all European countries, in V4 countries likewise, to spend defence budgets more efficiently and strengthen their defence cooperation as much as possible. Regional cooperation has an added value and an important contribution to make. Recognising this, V4 countries set the objective to strengthen European and Transatlantic capabilities by deepening our defence cooperation, modernising our Armed Forces and better using our available resources by eliminating unnecessary duplications while respecting the national sovereignty of each participating state.
We thereby signed two documents of strategic importance which will define the course of action of our future cooperation: the Long Term Vision of the Visegrád Countries on Deepening Their Defence Cooperation and the Framework for an Enhanced Visegrád Defence Planning Cooperation. In accordance with these documents, we should focus mainly but not exclusively on three critical areas:
1) capability development, procurement and defence industry;
2) the establishment of multinational units and running cross border activities;
3) education, training and exercises.
Among the mentioned areas of cooperation, we pay particular attention to our “flagship project”, the V4 EU Battlegroup. The V4 EU BG serves as a driving force for enhancing V4 cooperation. The security situation in Europe underlined our intention to link the V4 EU BG certification exercise with NATO`s Trident Juncture 2015 exercise. We consider this link a very good opportunity to highlight the need for complementarily between the EU and NATO in the security area. We also support and initiate the coordination of national positions with respect to NATO and the EU. This method of communication has proved its value over the years and made a major contribution towards promoting national as well as our joint priorities. It also contributes to better visibility of all four countries and presents a strong V4 region as an integral component of international organisations and multinational alliances.
The Long Term Vision was followed by Budapest Declaration of the Visegrád Group Heads of Government on the New Opening in V4 Defence Cooperation, which set the tasks, which are supposed to be fulfilled under the Slovak Presidency. The Slovak Republic took over the Presidency in the V4 on 1 July 2014.
Among the strategic priorities of the Slovak Presidency in the field of defence cooperation are efforts to enhance the interoperability of the Armed Forces of the V4 countries with the objective of more efficient cooperation in the future. We want to continue the exchange of defence planning professionals, as this area has been declared a priority in long-term perspective. Regularly discussed joint procurement of armaments, equipment and materials for the Armed Forces of the V4 countries as well as strengthening cooperation between the defence industries enterprises of the V4 countries are strictly related to this task.
Defence Turkey: How do you assess the Slovak Defence Industry? What are the main capabilities and products of your industry?
Since the foundation of the Slovak Republic the Slovak defence industry has undergone a complex restructuring process which leads to a serious reduction of research, development and production capacities built before 1989. Despite the difficult time of changes and reductions the contemporary professional, human and technical potential of defence and security industry of the Slovak Republic is able to provide research, development, production, testing, repairs and modernization of complex arm systems, technique and material.
The Slovak Defence Industry preserved its production capacities in the following areas:
Repair & maintenance services of aircraft
Land equipment, modernization, repair & maintenance services
Weapons and ammunition
Command and control systems
Communication and information systems
Radar systems
Engineer and medical equipment
Training simulation systems
Security equipment
Research, development, innovations
Testing
Defence Turkey: Could you please inform us about the current procurement projects carried out, ongoing programs, modernization operations?
In 2014 in the area of main arms development the following acquisitions have been realized:
Heavy off-road trucks in different modifications
Medium-sized off-road trucks in different modifications
Small off-road vehicles through NSPA NATO
Start of the multipurpose tactical vehicles procurement process
In mid-term, in the area of main arms development the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak republic will focus on the next major projects:
Air Force projects:
Tactical aircraft replacement
Acquisition of utility helicopters
Replacement of transport aircrafts
Replacement of radars
Land Forces Projects:
Heavy wheeled platform
Tactical armoured vehicles,
Small arms
Defence Turkey: How do you assess Slovak and Turkish Armed Forces military cooperation and activities? Could you inform us about the officer’s exchange programmes, training programmes and the exercises to be carried out and planned between the 2 countries?
The Slovak Republic considers Turkey as significant geopolitical actor who contributes to the stability of the region of European – Middle East borders by its foreign policy influence. The Slovak Republic greatly appreciates it. With regards to the bilateral cooperation, I am glad that I characterize it as fruitful with relatively long tradition.
I see certain potential for development and enhancement of our defence cooperation mostly in the field of training and education. We do appreciate your educational and training activities that you provide via the international courses in the Turkish Partnership for Peace Training Centre in Ankara and Turkish Defence against Terrorism Centre of Excellence.
As I mentioned within part of international activities, there are several international courses and training facilities that Slovak Armed Forces could potentially provide to members of the Turkish Armed Forces which were mentioned above. Every year we organize the Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF) and the Turkish Air Forces traditionally participate there. This year they presented static and dynamic show of Turkish F-4 PHANTOM and had a great success within an audience. Last but not least, we both have Centres of Excellence where we could share knowledge and specialists to participate on the reciprocal basis.
Defence Turkey: What are your activities and cooperation with Turkey in conjunction with NATO?
Regarding to the fulfilment of obligations resulting from membership in NATO, the Slovak Republic cooperates with its partners, including Turkey. We realize several projects and activities with Turkey deal with activities resulting from membership of both countries including operational abroad. One of them is NATO activity “Active Fence” and many others.
The Slovak Republic considers the conflict in Syria and its intrusion into neighbouring countries including Turkey as direct threat to southern and south-eastern borders of the Alliance. Therefore, members of the Slovak Armed Forces have been participating in this activity to strengthen Turkey’s southern border and to prevent rocket attacks from Syria.
Defence Turkey: You met with Mr. İsmet Yılmaz, Turkish Minister of Defence during your visit to Ankara on September 2014. What topics were discussed during the meeting? Did you make any mutual on future industrial cooperation and programmes?
I have to say that the meeting with Minister Yılmaz was really constructive and has achieved its purpose. We were discussing areas of bilateral cooperation which is oriented on military training, education, modernization of the Armed Forces and military industry. Regarding the recent security situation in Ukraine, Iraq and Syria we were also discussing statements about both countries oriented on potential solutions of crisis situations and the steps which were passed by both countries to eliminate potential threats. Simultaneously, we have declared mutual effort to intensify bilateral cooperation in areas of training, education, and exchange of experiences in the area of modernization and joint procurement of military equipment and technologies.
Defence Turkey: What are your views and comments on the Turkish Defence Industry?
The Turkish defence industry has made real achievements in the creation of a modern national defence infrastructure in Turkey, with highly successful results in many vital areas. Key defence industrial institutions have been established to meet the requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces. Thanks to this considerable rise in the Turkish defence industry, the proportion of equipment in the Turkish Armed Forces made outside Turkey is falling every year, the self-sufficiency of Turkey in Turkish-made arm systems and equipment is growing and the export to the third countries is expanding.
In this context, I am confident that the Turkish-Slovak cooperation in defence area backed by experience (long tradition of mutually beneficial relations) as well as by legislative base (governmental Agreement between Turkey and the Slovak Republic on Defence Industry cooperation from 23 October 1997) has all necessary potential to flourish and thrive.
Defence Turkey: What is your strategy and plan for the coming 10 years?
We have to respect the reality of the current and future security environment with its complexity, uncertainty and unpredictability. We are fully aware that our ability to defend ourselves as a part of the Alliance is inextricably linked to the economic security of the state and available resources. We have sought solutions as to how to ensure the implementation of all tasks to stimulate further development and to modernize several key capabilities. This is being further elaborated in the conceptual and other documents, including the Defence Department Development Plan with a View to 2024 to have a modern, realistic, conceptual development framework for the national defence capacity with emphasis on the Armed Forces and a clearly defined target state and the prerequisites for its achievement.
Having taken the rigorous fiscal consolidation into account, our ambition is to implement the development strategy in two stages, each with measurable goals. In the first stage, we expect the equipping of one battalion of the Land Forces, which will have been the largest contribution to the development of the Armed Forces since their inception. In the second stage, in the period of 2016-2024, the main output will be the rearmament of a mechanized brigade. The result will be substantially modernized face of the Armed Forces which, by internal transformation of units and optimisation of the command and control structures, will significantly enhance their combat readiness.
Our strategy is based on applying a modern approach to defence, which basically relies on a modern approach to solving the issue of personnel in line with the up-to-date requirements, on the armament of the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art equipment and latest technologies, and the application of modern methodology
To increase the efficiency of capabilities development of the Armed Forces, including addressing critical shortfalls, we will actively use multinational and bilateral military co-operation, the possibilities offered by NATO and the EU in particular, but also the V4.
Needless to say the current security environment requires constant readiness not only of the Armed Forces but the entire national defence system based on continued development of defence capabilities. This would require comprehensive approach, with engagement of other relevant national entities, including a continuous adaptation to conditions and needs for the readiness of complex defence system facing the uncertain and turbulent future.
The Slovak Republic has always been a credible and reliable ally. And the evidence that in the future it will not be on the contrary is our strong political signal most recently declared at the Wales summit.
Defence Turkey: Finally, would you like to give any messages to our readers?
The Slovak Republic really appreciates Turkish activities in the area of security. Turkey is one of the major members of NATO and its activities in the past and priorities which should be achieved in the future demonstrate it. The Slovak Republic, as member state of NATO, will try to do as much as possible to support your country in the area of security stabilization and development of mutual cooperation to strengthen our positions in the process of achieving our mutual goals.
